I grew up in New Jersey, and when driving down the shore, my parents would always try to scare me and my brother with the tale of the Jersey Devil. And it seems that fellow Jersey native Bruce Springsteen was also terrified by the story.

It being Halloween and all, the Boss is giving away more than just fun-sized candy bars: He's offering a new song and video called "A Night With the Jersey Devil."

On his Web site he writes, "Dear Friends and Fans, If you grew up in central or south Jersey, you grew up with the 'Jersey Devil.' Here's a little musical Halloween treat. Have fun! Bruce Springsteen"

In the blues song, Bruce tells the tale of the Jersey Devil. In 1735 a woman named Mother Leeds gave birth to her 13th child, who transformed into a creepy and evil creature. His parents threw him in the river, and he now haunts the Pine Barrens in N.J.

Bruce takes on the role of the Devil in the video, emerging from a river, riding a horse and recounting how he killed his family as revenge and gained notoriety for it.

In other Bruce Springsteen news, earlier this week, he announced that he and his wife would not hold their annual elaborate Halloween display at their New Jersey mansion.

A message on his site reads, "So as not to inconvenience you this Halloween, due to 'catastrophic success' (read: too many visitors for the neighborhood to handle) and concern for the safety of kids and parents! We won't be having our usual Halloween display this year in Rumson. We wish everyone a safe and Happy Halloween!"